'Deadbeat dads' arrested for back child support

At least 80 men who collectively owe more than $1.7 million in unpaid child support payments -- including one man who alone owes several hundred thousand dollars -- were arrested during a two-week sting, officials said today.

The operation, dubbed "Operation Deadbeat Dad," began on June 1 as about 45 investigators with the Cook County Sheriff's Central Warrant Unit went door-to-door throughout Cook county hunting down fathers with outstanding warrants for not paying child support, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said in a statement.

The sting was meant to coincide with Father's Day Sunday, officials said.

"It's particularly troubling to think that even on Father's Day -- a day intended to honor one of the two most important people in a child's life -- there are men continuously shirking their duties and failing to provide basic financial assistance for their children," Dart said in the statement. "Our office is sending a message to all deadbeat parents -- support your kids, or we're coming after you."

Among the men taken into custody was Cleveland Keys Jr., 46, of the 1200 block of West 90th Street, in Chicago; he owes $213,677, the most of all 80 people arrested, Dart said. Keys owns a barber shop in Evergreen Park and was arrested on June 14 after an undercover sheriff's officer went into the shop for a haircut, Dart said.

In addition, Byron Portis, 29, of the 9500 block of South Racine Avenue in Chicago, was arrested for owing $59,227 in support, Dart said. Portis was arrested on June 5 at his townhouse, where investigators found $44,000 in cash stuffed in a bag, Dart said. Investigators also recovered four loaded handguns at the home.

Another man, Yaser Hadidi, 51, of the 7600 block of West 63rd Street in Summit, was arrested for the fifth time for failing to pay $50,935 in back child support, Dart said. In addition to this charge, Hadidi was arrested on May 10 by Cook County investigators for Link card fraud during a sting at his liquor store in Bellwood, Dart said.

Officials also said they were searching for information on David Fisher, 45, of the 1700 block of West Hubbard Avenue in Chicago, who owes $243,569 in back support, Dart said. Investigators were also searching for Armando Aguilera, 35, of the 2000 block of South Ashland Avenue in Chicago, who owes $45,305 in support, Dart said.

Anyone with information about anyone wanted for failing to pay child support is asked to call 1-800-447-4278. People can also go to the sheriff's Website, www.cookcountysheriff.org, for more information.